Special Needs Shelters Have New Sites

Those with special needs will be asked to go to new public shelter locations this year if there is a hurricane in the area.

By JOHN CHAMBLISSTHE LEDGER

LAKELAND | Those with special needs will be asked to go to new public shelter locations this year if there is a hurricane in the area.

Pete McNally, director of emergency operations in Polk County, said the special needs shelters will be at Ridge Community High School, 500 W. Orchid Drive, in Davenport, and McKeel Academy, 1810 West Parker St., in Lakeland.

The two adult day care centers in Lakeland and Haines City that previously served as hurricane shelters were too small, McNally said.

The Polk County Health Department specialty care unit in Bartow at 1255 Brice Road will continue to serve as a special needs shelter.

Ridge will offer shelter for anyone, while McKeel will only be for special needs, McNally said.

McNally said the county's 43 shelters should be a last resort. "We recommend finding adequate shelters somewhere else," McNally said.

He stressed that people should stay at home if they can or try to stay with family or friends.

"It should be considered a last resort for people," McNally said.

Shelters at high schools open first during hurricanes because they have the most space, and the rooms, bathrooms and chairs are built for adults. If the storm is severe, emergency operations will also use smaller schools and other locations.

Chad Magnuson, chief emergency services officer for the Red Cross, which operates shelters, said the shelters are staffed with a manager, a health services official and about five people for registration. Polk School District officials and law enforcement officers are at shelters to help.

Magnuson urged people to bring a sleeping bag, air mattress, toiletries and insurance documents.

No alcohol, drugs or guns are allowed.

At full capacity, Polk County shelters together hold about 50,000 people. A total of 21,000 people stayed in the county's shelters in 2004 when three hurricanes came through the county.

A few shelters are also open for pets -- Lake Region High in Eagle Lake, Alta Vista Elementary School in Haines City and Philip O'Brien Elementary School in Lakeland.

Only dogs, cats and birds are taken at the shelters. Pet owners should bring food, records of shots and a cage for the animal.